August 2008

Dear Member,

It's sale time! Our annual "BEAT THE HEAT SUMMER SALE" has started and from now throughout the entire month of August all of our monthly wines are available at bargain prices, with some selections priced as low as $4 a bottle! This is the best time all year to stock up on your favorites to enjoy comfortably under the AC. We know it's going to be hot and we know it's going to rain and we don't even want to think about what else it might do, so you might as well stock up for those nights when the Weather Channel is "must see TV". Make your selections today while we still have your favorites in inventory, then either fill out your order sheet and mail with your payment or fax to 239-591-2840, give us a call at 800-749-9463, send an email to wineconceptsinc@comcast.net, or visit the website, www.wine-concepts.com.

Big headline in the Chicago Tribune July 15, 2008..."Global warming to spark rise in kidney stone cases..." It seems farfetched, but it's based on the fact that people in warm regions develop kidney stones at an increased rate. Sweating in warm weather removes the fluid from the body and increases the concentration in urine, which can spur the growth of kidney stones. The article goes on to say that by the year 2050, a large chunk of Illinois will fall within America's "kidney-stone belt" which currently includes only Southern states, like...ummmmm, Florida. Kidney stones are nothing to laugh at. Rarely fatal, they nonetheless create one of hte most painful medical conditions....in some cases more excruciating than childbirth.

"Why" you ask, "are you scaring us with this information, Bob?" As you may have guessed, I have found another study. It's headline reads: "Wine and beer consumption is associated with strongly reduced risk of kidney stones in women." In a study of 81,093 women and subsequent follow-ups, it was found that an 8 ounce daily serving decreased the risk for some formation by the following amounts: 10% for coffee, 8% for tea and 59% for wine. According to the study, the results may not necessarily apply only to women. We urge you to consume at least one glass of wine per day to help ward off the pain and suffering which may be caused by kidney stones. A glass of wine per day equates to six bottles per month. We encourage you to increase your monthly shipment to four, six or twelve bottles monthly. Just let us know and we'll start with your next shipment. You owe it to yourself.

And, more on Global Warming. A recently concluded conference in Barcelona, Spain dedicated to Climate Change and Wine, predicted a "post-classic" era of winemaking is dawning and that we are in for some nasty surprises. So far, the "alleged" global warming has been good for the industry, with the warmer summers leading to almost yearly "vintage of the century" pronouncements. But, changes are afoot. Scientists warned attendees that they could expect natural acidity to drop, colors to fade and alcohol levels to rise, while aromas could vanish. They're not talking the distant future either...they say the palate of our wine will change within 10 years. Some conferrees predicted that the Bordeaux region would become too hot to successfully grow Merlot, leading to a completely different flavor profile for some of the worlds greatest wines. Eventually, they say, the global array of viable winemaking regions will shift toward the poles. Warm weather areas such as California's Central Valley may be abandoned while our best wines may be coming from England, Denmark and Belgium. Maybe this is a good time to invest in Alaskan vineyard land.

Big happening on the delivery front. As of this month, all of our shipments will be handled by UPS....Fedex will no longer deliver our wine. We thank Fedex Home Delivery for their many years of service, but feel that you, our customers, deserve the best package delivery service extant. We believe that UPS fills that role.

Here's good news if you spend part of your year in New York. Recently, Gov. David Patterson signed a bill legalizing serving wine during educational wine courses. Previously, wine was not permitted to be served at a wine class unless it tood place at a winery. I cannot imagine the twisted logic it took to make it illegal in the first place!

And more twisted logic. Green Bay Packer cornerback Charles Woodson is about to release his first wine, the 2005 TwentyFour by Charles Woodson Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. Soon after the press party announcing the upcoming release, Mr Woodson was informed by the National Football League that no NFL football player may endorse any alcoholic beverage. So, even though his name is all over the label, don't ask Charles Woodson about TwentyFour Cabernet.

As always we thank you for your continuing support of Wine Concepts. We appreciate any feedback you can give us as we try to be the best Wine Club we can be, the Wine Club you deserve. We appreciate your comments, questions, criticisms and expressions of support. We also appreciate your orders of wine for yourself and as gifts. For any of the reasons above or just to say hello, send an email to wineconceptsinc@comcast.net, give us a call at 800-749-9463, or fax us at 239-591-2840. And don't forget to visit the web site www.wine-concept.com. We'd love to hear from you. Hope we have a wine-filled and hurricane-free August!

All the best.

Bob